Mark Lawrence takes over from Jonathan Kaplan in answering readers' questions.

1. Name: Wesley van der Linde

Question: Hi there

This first question is in relation to Law 3. Are Injured players allowed to be off the field for as long as they like while their replacement plays for them (and then make a sudden appearance towards the end of the game) or do they have the 15 minute time limit as bleeding players do to get themselves sorted? And lastly, Law 14.6 states players cannot change clothing unless blood stained. Does this mean a player cannot change their boots, pants, scrum caps etc during the match?

Thanks for your help.
Grace and Peace.

Mark Lawrence: Hello, Wesley.

Injured players may never return to play in a match. Substituted players, however, may return under certain conditions, but TIME is not a constraint.

Law 14.6 does not exist, but regarding the question on blood stained clothing and changing of clothing... a player may change clothing but he may not leave the playing area and go to the change room, unless the clothing has blood on, then he may go to the change room.

Quoted below are the laws regarding substitution Law 3.7 and law 3.12.

Law 3.7 PERMANENT REPLACEMENT
A player may be replaced if injured. If the player is permanently replaced, that player must not return and play in that match. The replacement of the injured player must be made
when the ball is dead and with the permission of the referee.

Law 3.12 SUBSTITUTED PLAYERS REJOINING THE match
If a player is substituted, that player must not return and play in that match even to replace an injured player.
Exception 1: a substituted player may replace a player with a bleeding or open wound.
Exception 2: a substituted player may replace a front row player when injured, temporarily suspended or sent off.

Keep well

Regards, Mark

2. Name: Chris Assmus 

Question: My question is one of breakdown positioning. From what I've seen most referees in the northern hemisphere stick to the "Attacking line" position for entire matches at tackle/ruck time. I noticed that you, along with many others like to slip into the Defensive line. Do you make this a point of intention during a match or are you merely moving into varying positions depending on play development.

Many thanks, Meneer

Mark Lawrence: Hello Chris,

I take it you are referring to Jonathan Kaplan, who likes the defensive line position. I personally prefer the attacking side called flat attack but there is no golden rule dictating where a referee should position himself. The secret of positioning is to be in the RIGHT place at the RIGHT time so that you make the RIGHT call. You can sit in the grand stand for that matter, just make the right call.

Thanks for the question

Regards, Mark

3. Name: Derek Summers 

Question: Could you explain the certain criteria of a legal poach of a ball at the ruck? A lot of times in games that I do I will see a legal poach and know that what has happened is legal, but when asked how to explain what happened I really cannot put it easily enough into words. Thank you.

Mark Lawrence: Hello Derek,

To poach the ball at a ruck (legally) can occur in two ways. The first way is where a tackle occurs and the fetcher of team A gets his hands on the ball, a moment before or even just as a player from team B collides or binds with the fetcher. Under old law the fetcher would have to have released the ball but under the new ruling from the IRB this year, the fetcher can continue to play the ball with his hands as long as he remains on his feet.

IRB Ruling 4 of 2009

Providing a player from either side on their feet after a tackle comply with all aspects of Law 15 and have the ball in their hands prior to contact with an opposition player on his feet those players may continue with possession of the ball even if a player from the opposition makes contact with those players in possession of the ball.
Any other players joining the two players contesting the ball must not handle the ball in accordance with Law 16.4 (b). If the ball is not in possession of any player after a tackle and a ruck is formed players may not use their hands in accordance with Law.

The second way would be to counter ruck, i.e. push the opponents off the ball. No hands can be used here as a ruck  has formed, so no player may use his hands to poach the ball.

Law 16.4(b) Players must not handle a ball in a ruck

Hope that clears things up for you

Regards, Mark

4. Bunny Bolton

Question: Is there offside at a tackle? When the Sharks played Griquas the referee penalised the little Griqua scrumhalf and said: Offside at the tackle." Is that right?

Mark Lawrence: Hello again Bunny,

And thanks for the question.

There is no offside line that stretches across the field  at a tackle but the Law does require players to enter from behind the ball and or tackled player/tackler. You will hear referees talking about coming through the GATES. Thus a player can be penalized for side entry and thus he is offside. Interestingly, when the Crusaders played the Brumbies in a super 12 final, many years ago, the crusaders would tackle but not set up a ruck against the Brumbies. This gave the Crusaders the freedom to keep their back line player amongst the Brumbies backs as the offside line does not extend across the field. If a ruck forms then the offside line would obviously extend across the field.

Keep well

Regards, Mark

5. David
E-mail: smortsy@hotmail.com

Question: Near the end of the game a team scores to bring the score to within two points. The team ahead is to restart with only a few seconds left. Time expires as he kicks the ball and it goes straight into touch, well into touch. Does the referee blow for full time or allow the options? What might you take into consideration when making your decision? The question is a variation of the situations described in 2009 ruling 3 re
time.            

Mark Lawrence: Hello David,

Yes,  the referee would blow full time in the situation you described,  as once time is up, the referee must end the match the next time the ball becomes dead. The definition for dead in the law book: The ball is out of play. This happens when the ball has gone outside the playing area and remained there.

I have quoted the law below for you to read.

Law 5.7 (e) If time expires and the ball is not dead, or an awarded scrum or line-out has not been completed the referee allows play to continue until the next time that the ball becomes dead. If time expires and a mark, free kick or penalty kick is then awarded, the referee allows play to continue.

Thanks for the question

Regards, Mark